Do what you love on The Longest Day® and help fight Alzheimer’s

On The Longest Day®, teams around the world come together to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer's with a day of activity. Held on the summer solstice, June 21, 2014, this event calls on participants to raise funds and awareness to advance the efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Teams can choose an activity in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Whether it’s dancing, biking, cooking, crafting or hiking, teams work together from sunrise to sunset to fuel the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Third-time participants have Alzheimer’s on the run

One team from Wisconsin is demonstrating their commitment to fight Alzheimer’s as third-time participants in The Longest Day. Rachel Degrand and her friend Kim Maas first heard about The Longest Day two years ago, and they immediately knew what activity they wanted to do: Run.

They both had been running and participating in road races for several years, and this event seemed like a perfect opportunity to use their hobby to raise funds for an important cause. They are running during the entire 16 hours of daylight as a two-person relay on a high school track. Last year, they logged 300 miles with their team, running in wind, rain and heat.

To prepare, Rachael and Kim train by running races to get used to the time on their feet. The team’s fundraising efforts are also in high gear, using email and social media to ask for donations. They also hold raffles with donated items such as running gear, entries to races and gift cards.

Honoring loved ones

During The Longest Day, Rachael and Kim will take the names of those they have lost to Alzheimer’s, and those who are currently living with the disease, and make a “Wall of Remembrance” around the track. Each time they run a lap, they will look at those names and run for each of them. They include the names of their own grandparents.

“Kim and I didn’t really realize the impact it had on families until we participated in The Longest Day a few years ago,” explains Rachael. “Many people shared their heartbreaking personal stories, and it made us appreciate that this event is more than just a fundraiser. It’s also a chance for those who have been impacted to come together, honor their loved ones and know that they are not alone.”

Join thousands of others across the globe and fight Alzheimer’s from sunrise to sunset on The Longest Day. Start a team today at alz.org/thelongestday.

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